Means for sealing receptacles



C. HAMMER.

MEANS FOR SEALING RECEPT ACLES.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 14. 1918.

1,393,016, Patented Oct. 11, 1921.

3 SHEETSSHEET 3.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES HAMMER, OF QUEENS, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO AMERICAN METAL CAP COMPANY, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OENEW YORK.

Specification of Letters Patent.

' Patented Oct. 11, 1921.

Application filed November 14, 1918. Serial No. 262,524.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES HAMMER, a citizen of the United States, residin at Queens, in the county of Queens and tate of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Means for Seal ing Receptacles, of which the following is a specification.

This invention has reference to a method ,of securing a sheet metal cap on a jar or other receptacle, and also to the mechanism by which this method is carried out.

The object of the" present invention is to provide a method whereby a flanged cap provided with a gasket will be engaged on the lowerportion of the flange to be bent inwardly to produce a very strong and airti ht closure on the side wall of the ar, and wliich will conform to any irregularity or cavity in the jar wall, to produce a seal that will effectually exclude the air and resist removal, except on the application of strong line 44 shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 5 shows one of the roller arms. Fig. 6 shows the closure enlarged. Fig. 7 shows enlarged the sealing operation, as in Fig. 2; and Fig. 8 shows enlarged the sealing operation, as in Fig. 3.

The sealing mechanism comprises essentially a member in the nature of an anvil plate, having a flange to engage the flange cap; and also a bending member having a grooved portion, adapted to engage the lower marginal portion of the closure to cause a pressure in an upward direction relative to the anvil plate, whereby to compress the flange of the closure, while at the same time control the inward movement of the closure margin. The grooved bending member is first caused to move inwardly against the flange, and then upwardly and will produce a rounded shape on the lower portion of the closure.

This invention is particularly designed for use with a form of cap shown in Fig. 6, in which the flange of the cap is of conical form and concave on the outer face as indicated at 1, connecting with a flat central portion 2, by an arch portion 3; and the flange has a downwardly extending portion 4. that is substantially vertical, but slightly convex on theouter face. The lower margin of the flange is slightly curved inward at 6, to form on the inner face anannular channel, to receive and retain a gasket 7.

As shown I provide an anvil plate 8 having an annular flange 9, whose inner wall is convex and shaped to correspond with the concave flange portion of the cap at 1. This anvil plateis secured to a spindle 10 that projects upwardly and is provided with a head 11 having a groove 12 for engagement with a spline 13 on a sleeve 14:, in which the head slides vertically.

An arm 15 has a portion 16, in whose bore rotates the sleeve portion 17 of a drive pulley 18, a collar 19 faston the sleeve 17 holding the pulley in position to rotate in the part 16 of the arm. Secured to the pulley 18' is a head 20, in whose bore slides a sleeve 21 secured to a carrier plate 22 at its lower end. A set of levers 23 are 'pivotally mounted on the carrier 22 to extend in a radial direction, and three or four of these are arranged equidistant from the axis. At their inner ends these levers engage a collar 24 on the head 20, which occurs when the carrier plate with its sleeves moves upward relative to the head 20, which movement will elevate the outer ends of these levers.

I provide grooved bending means preferably in the form of a series of arms 25, and shown as having grooved rollers 26 on their lower ends at the inner side. Each arm has a recess 27 into which extends the outer end of the arm 23, to support and control the arms, which slide vertically in apertures 28 in the carrier plate 22. The upper ends of the arms 25 are beveled as at 29 and engage the margin of the head 20, when the arms are moved upward by the levers 23. This will cause the arms to pivot in their engagement with the plate 22, and thereby swing the lower ends and the rollers inwardly, from the position of Fig. 1 to that of Fig. 2. Suitable spring means tend to draw the upper ends of the arms inwardly and spread the rollers, when the arms are free to move, for which purpose I provide acoil spring 30 in-the form of a ring passing around to engage the several arms.

In the operation of this mechanism to seal a cap on a jar 31. having a substantially straight outer wall 5, the cap is placed on the jar, and the jaris raised by a suitable support 32, that moves upwardly relative to the arm 15, but it is to be understood that simply a relative movement is effected between the arm 15, and parts supported thereby, and the support 32, so'that the arm 15 might move downwardly to produce the same effect in the sealing operation. The jar being elevated will enter the anvil plate 8 and raise it and the spindle 10, that will -slide freely upward through the sleeve 21 of the carrier plate, and through the sleeve 14 supported by an arm 32, until the anvil strikes the carrier plate 22, whereupon this carrier will be raised, and also its sleeve 21, that slides freely in the head 20; It is to be understood that the pulley 18 during this operation is caused to revolve by a suitable belt or other means, that will rotate the head, and the sleeve 21 having a groove 33 sliding on a key 34 in the head, will also rotate, and the arms 25 will be carried around. But the spindle 10 of the anvil plate while moving upwardly is prevented from rotation by being splined in the sleeve 14. When the anvil plate 8 strikes the carrier plate 22 it will be'raised from the position shown in Fig. 1 to that of Fig. 2, causing the levers 23 to engage the collar 24 of the head, and rock these levers, so that the arms 25 will be moved upwardly relative to the carrier plate 22 on which the levers are supported that carry the arms. In

this upward movement the upper beveled ends of the levers engaging the head 20 will be swung outward, and the lower ends and. rollers will therefore move inwardly beneath the anvil plate 8 in its now elevated position. This will bring the rollers to engage the lower portion of the flange, as indicated in Figs. 2 and 7, and it will be understood that the rollers travel in an orbit and move around the j ar'flange, that is held stationary by the anvil plate which cannot rotate. The continued upward movement of the anvil plate by the thrust of the jar from its support 32, will cause further swing of the levers 23, and an' elevation of the rollers relative to the carrier 22 and anvil plate, (nowin contact therewith), so that the rollers move upwardly against the lower margin of the closure flange, because the rollers are moving upwardfaster than the anvil plate is being elevated. This will bring the rollers and anvil plate to the position indicated in Figs. 3 and 8. It will be understood that the rollers produce both an inward movement, and then an upward movement on the lower portion of the flange. This will cause the flange to assume. the substantially semicircular form shown in Fig. 8, and thegasket will be similarly shaped, and also caused to be wedged upwardly between the flange and the jar wall, as shown in this view. This will produce a very tight sealing of the closure, and the gasket will be forced into any cavity or distortion of the jar wall. By reason of the grooved shape of the rollers, they will prevent the lower portion of the flange being forced directly inward, but will curve it upwardly, and the margin of the flange will be somewhat offset from the jar wall.

At the conclusion of the sealing operation, the support 32 is lowered, and the anvil plate and spindle will be moved downwardly by a coil spring 35. This will free the levers from the head, and the coil spring 30 will cause them to swing inwardly at the top as soon as they leave the head plate 20, that will retract the rollers and move them outward to the normal position shown in Fig. 1.

What I claim is 1. In a sealing press, a frame, a head mounted to rotate in the'frame on a vertical axis, a carrier plate on the head slidable axially therein but rotating therewith, an anvil plate axially carried by the head for vertical movement in the head and. carrier but prevented from rotation, a set of arms carried by the carrier and arranged to be raised relative to the carrier when the anvil and carrier are moved upward relaarms carried by the carrier and arranged to be raised relative to the carrier when the anvil and carrier are moved upward relative to the head, sealing rolls carried by the arms arranged to press upward on a closure engaged by the anvil, and a spring member on the arms arranged to retract them on release of upward pressure on the anvil and carrier, and to return the'carrier.

3. In 'a' sealing press, a frame, a head mounted to rotate in the frame on a vertical axis, a carrier plate on the head slidable axially therein but rotating therewith, an anvil plate axially carried by the head for vertical movement in the head and carrier but prevented from rotation, a set of levers mounted on the carrier arranged to engage the head on elevation of the carrier to swing the levers, a set of arms carried by the levers and arranged to be raised relative to' the carrier when the anvil and carrier are moved upward relative to the head, and sealing rolls carried by the arms arranged to press and arranged to be raised relative to the carrier when the anvil and carrier are moved upward relative to the head, sealing rolls carried by the arms arranged to press upward on a closure engaged'by the anvil, and a spring member on the arms arranged to retract them on release of upward pressure on the anvil and carrier.

5. In a sealing press, a frame, a head g mounted to rotate 1n the frame on a vertical mounted to rotate in the frame on a vertical axis, a carrier plate on the head slidable axially therein but rotating therewith, an anvil plate axially carried by the head for vertical movement in the head and carrier but prevented from rotation, a set of levers mounted on the carrier arranged to engage the head on. elevation of the. carrier to. swing the levers, a set of arms carried by the levers and arranged to be raised relative to the carrier when the anvil and carrier are moved upward relative to the head, said arms having a cam engagement with the head when first raised to swing them inward at the lower end, and sealing rolls carried by the arms arranged to press upward on a closure engaged by the anvil.

6. In a sealing mounted to rotate in the frame on a .vertical axis, a carrier plate on the head slidable axially therein but rotatin therewith, an anvil plate axially carried y the head for vertical movement in the head and carrier but prevented from rotation, a set of levers mounted on the carrier arranged to engage the headon elevation of the carrier to swing the levers, a set of arms carried by the levers and arranged to be raised relative to the carrier when the anvil and carrier are moved upward relative to the head, said arms having a cam engagement with the head when first raised to swing them inward at the lower end, sealing rolls carried by the arms arranged to press upward on a closure engaged by the anvil, and a spring member on the arms arranged to retract them on release of upward pressure on" the anvil and carrier, and to return the carrier.

7. In a sealing press, a frame, a head mounted to rotate in the frame on a vertical axis, a carrier plate on the head slidable axially therein but rotating therewith, an anvil plate connected with the carrier but prevented from rotation, a set of arms carried by the carrier and arranged to be raised relative to the carrier and anvil when the anvil and carrier are moved upward relative to the press, a frame, a head head, and sealing rolls carried by the arms arranged to press upward on a closure engaged by the anvil,

8.v In a sealing press, a frame, a head mounted to rotate in the frame on a vertical axis, a carrier plate on the head slidable'axially therein but rotating therewith, an anvil plate connected with the carrier but prevented from rotation, a set of arms carried by the carrier and arranged to be raised relative to the carrier and anvil when the anvil and carrier are moved upward relative to the head, sealing rolls carried by the arms arranged to press upward on a closure engaged by the anvil, and a spring member arranged to separate the carrier and anvil plate.

9. In a sealing press, a frame, a head axis, a carrier plate on the head slidable axially therein but rotating therewith, an anvil plate connected with the carrier but prevented from rotation, a set of arms carried by the carrier and arranged to be raised relative to the carrier and anvil when the anvil and carrier are moved upward relative to the head, sealing rolls carried by the arms arranged to press upward on a closure engaged by the anvil, means for swinging the arms inward when first raised, and a spring member arranged to separate the carrier and anvil plate and spread the arms.

10. In a sealing press, a frame, an anvil plate having a spindle secured thereto, the spindle being slidable in the frame but prevented from rotation therein, a carrier having a sleeve portion slidable on said spindle, a head mounted on the frame to rotate but prevented from axial movement, said carrier being slidable in said head but caused to rotate therewith, a set of levers pivoted on the carrier with their inner ends arranged to engage the head when the carrier is raised to swing the levers, a set of arms, rolls pivoted on the lower ends of the arms, said arms being suspended on the outer ends of.the 110 levers and guided in the carrier for vertical movement by the levers relative to the carrier, and also arranged to swing laterally on .the levers, said arms having a cam engagefirst raise the arms, and a spring connectedv with the arms to swing them outwardly and cause the carrier to move away from the head, said anvil plate when raised by a jarengaging the carrier to raise it to swing the levers, and thereby raise the arms that will swing inwardly to bring the rollers against the jar and thereupon raise the rollers relative to the anvil plate during rotation of the carrier and rollerswhile the jar is held by the anvil plate. I

11. In a ar sealing press, the combination of a frame, an anvil plate carried by the frame and shaped to engage the flange of a jar closure, a carrier rotatable relative to the anvil plate, and a set of grooved rollers piv otally mounted on the carrier to be carried around with it, the carrier being movable axially relative to the anvil plate to cause the rolls to move upwardly relative to the anvil plate whereby to cause upward pressure on the lower portion of a closure flange supported by the anvil plate against movement relative to the rolls.

12. In a jar sealing press, the combination of a, frame, an anvil plate carried by the frame and shaped to engage the flange of a jar closure, a carrier rotatable relative to the anvil plate, and a set of grooved rollers pivotally mounted on the carrier to be carried around with it; the carrier being movable axially relative to the anvil plate to cause the rolls to move upwardly relative to the anvil plate whereby to cause upward pressure of aeaere the lower portion of a closure flange supported by the anvil plate against movement relative to the rolls, said rolls being supported to have their grooved portions travel in an orbit offset from the jar wall.

13. In a sealing press, a frame, a head mounted to rotate in the frame on a vertical axis, a carrier plate on the head slidable axially therein but rotating therewith, an anvil plate axially carried b the head for vertical movement in the hea and carrier but prevented from rotation, and a set of arms carried by the carrier and arranged to be raised relative to the carrier when the anvil and carrier are moved upward relative to the head.

Signed at New York city N. Y., on Nov. 7, 1918.

' omens HAMMER. V 

